The Berkeley City Council approved a resolution Tuesday that will “de-emphasize the use of City funds and resources” to enforce criminal laws against the possession and cultivation of entheogenic substances.
The resolution applies to personal use and cultivation of all entheogenic plants and fungi except peyote and peyote-derived mescaline. Decriminalized substances would include psilocybin and Ayahuasca. The final version of the resolution excludes LSD.
“Berkeley has long been a leader on progressive legislation when it comes to criminal justice and cannabis reform in particular,” said City Councilmember Sophie Hahn, who sponsored the item. “Today’s resolution builds on that legacy.”
The resolution was supported by the Council’s Committee on Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community.
Berkeley joins a growing list of cities which have deprioritized enforcement of laws pertaining to entheogenic substances, including Santa Cruz and Oakland.
Read more at Berkeleyside and Marijuana Moment.